When comparing AKG K553 Pro vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II, the Slant community recommends Bose QuietComfort 35 II for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Bose QuietComfort 35 II is ranked 36th while AKG K553 Pro is ranked 132nd. The most important reason people chose Bose QuietComfort 35 II is:
Most full-sized, wireless over the ear headphones are quite heavy and bulky. The QC 35 IIs on the other hand are relatively compact and light, yet still deliver great performance, battery life and top notch noise cancelling. The integration of Google Assistant is also a first in headphones, and gives you a host of smart features like notification reading, quick music searches and call making using voice commands and many more.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Quite comfortable to wear
The K553 Pro's earpads feature pleather materials which feel supple on the skin. Inside, the quality foam should provide ample cushioning. The headband also features a pleather surface and has some padding, which should help ease the pressure off of your head.
Pro Produces clean and accurate yet versatile sound
The sound is clear and accurate, and it should be very easy for the listener to pick out the details in the music. The bass level is just right without sounding boomy or muddy. The mids sound natural and neutral so these frequencies do not jump out of the mix. The highs are slightly extended, but do not make the sound harsh in any way.
Pro Solid build quality and premium feel
These headphones have very good build quality. Solid plastic and durable-feeling plastic is used for most of the headphones' parts. The matte finish adds a softer and more premium feel to the plastic surfaces. The headband is made of metal so it can handle some flex without breaking.
Pro Great noise isolation qualities
The closed design helps to greatly minimize sound leakage from these headphones. People near you will not hear what you are listening to when using these headphones. Also, the pleather pads allow for a great seal which further helps to minimize sound isolation and block outside noise from interfering with your listening experience.
Pro Great sound performance, effective noise cancelling, long battery life and Google Assistant smart features in a compact package
Most full-sized, wireless over the ear headphones are quite heavy and bulky. The QC 35 IIs on the other hand are relatively compact and light, yet still deliver great performance, battery life and top notch noise cancelling.
The integration of Google Assistant is also a first in headphones, and gives you a host of smart features like notification reading, quick music searches and call making using voice commands and many more.
Pro Great active noise cancelling
Bose's noise cancelling tech is quite effective at blocking ambient noise. This will help you fully enjoy the music by virtually eliminating outside noise.
Pro Fairly balanced sound signature with slight boosts to the mids and highs
Bass is full and punchy. While the sub-bass is not pronounced, there is good and fast bass extension, and this is what gives the music punch and a sense of tightness.
The mids are full and slightly forward so vocals and guitars can be clearly heard.
The highs are clear and do not distort at high volumes. There is a peak on the upper treble which helps to add more detail and clarity to the music, but some may also find the high frequencies to be quite harsh at times.
Pro Very good Google Assistant integration
These headphones are much more convenient to use and functional thanks to the Google Assistant upgrade. Press the long, flat button on the left ear cup to activate the feature, and you’ll be able to make voice commands to search for music, start calls, set reminders, get weather updates and many other features. This addition makes the QC 35 II one of the best travelling headphones you can get today.
Pro Has wired and Bluetooth connectivity
Aside from Bluetooth connection, you can also connect the QuietComfort 35 II to a source using a 3.5mm cable. This makes the headphones usable even with the battery depleted.
Pro Ear cup buttons allow easy control
You can easily control playlist functions using the buttons on the right ear cup. These functions include volume control as well as the play, pause, next track and previous track commands. The on/off switch for the headphones is also on this ear cup.
Pro Very good battery life
The QC35 IIs can play music continuously for up to 20 hours. This should cover most of your trips' duration before needing to recharge.
Pro Mic produces great voice quality
Multiple microphones are strategically located on both ear cups, allowing for great voice quality when taking calls. The noise cancelling also helps to clean up the voice quality that goes into the headphones.
Pro Built in mic allows hands-free calls
You can simply press a button on the right ear-cup to answer a call. This reduces the hassle of having to remove the headphones to take a call.
Pro Not straining on the head/neck
Despite having internal batteries, these headphones are still fairly lightweight, coming in at under 300 grams. This makes the headphones really easy to wear for extended periods, even when you are on the go.
Pro Feels soft and comfortable
The QC 35 II's ear cups and headband feature quality memory foam material which are soft and supportive so they do not pinch on your ears or apply too much pressure to the top of the head. These contact points are also covered with a quality leather material which feels nice and smooth on the skin.
Pro Great for on the go use as they are wireless
With these, you won't have to deal with long and dangling cables that can be difficult to manage.
Cons
Con Earpads may be too small for some
While the ear pads are able to provide ample cushioning, they are quite thin. Large ears may come into contact with the driver housing. This can lead to some discomfort and annoyance, especially when wearing the headphones for long periods of time.
Con Long, non-detachable headphone cable
You may encounter some hassle when using these headphones due to the cable. While the length is quite good at around 3 meters, the cable can get in the way and can be quite difficult to organize. The cable is also non-detachable, so replacing it can be difficult.
Con Noise cancelling may cause ear discomfort
Some experience a feeling of extra pressure into the ears when noise cancelling is on. Many find this to be unpleasant.